Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

Chapter 68 – Fame (3)

Desolate Sect’s lord stood outside the formation. Yet her presence was distinct.

Their gazes seemed to brush past each other, yet not quite. Though they clearly met eyes for an instant, it was like that.

It was very strange. There was no reason to ignore Jeong Yeon-shin after coming all this way.

She just stood still. Sunlight fractured along the line of her slender jaw turned slightly sideways.

Silence lingered briefly. Her head did not turn back.

The stillness surrounding them gradually began to approach as anxiety.

Surely not. Surely she couldn’t be unable to perceive this side?

It was an unconsidered situation.

Though the Two Flame Blood Spirit Formation was said to be formation learning beyond the human realm, Desolate Sect’s lord was a peerless master who showed transcendence in every movement.

‘You couldn’t be bewitched by a sorcery formation.’

Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes wavered for the first time.

He had maintained composure even in the Blood Flame Sect main hall. This time was different. He couldn’t.

That’s when it happened.

-You could take more. I’ll give you one day.

A whisper like a breeze tickled his ear.

Step.

It was the moment she took one step.

It was an instant. Along with fluttering leaves like flower petals, her figure disappeared.

It wasn’t visible to human body technique. Like a rising wind, not even a trace remained. As if asking when she had come.

“……”

He clearly felt her presence. He couldn’t doubt his sharply honed five senses.

His briefly shaken eyes quickly calmed. Jeong Yeon-shin regained stability very rapidly.

I’ll give you one day. It was a word that warmly colored his heart that had run endlessly wearing blue martial clothes.

He could escape.

‘What I saw and heard was right.’

Desolate Sect’s lord had come. It was a clear fact.

Her words were strange.

She seemed to want him to take things that could only be obtained from the Blood Flame Sect.

Had she sensed the newly achieved Demon Roaring Blood Technique?

She might have even gained insight that he was loading the Demon-Destroying Azure Unyielding Palm with formation mysteries.

‘Could take more, she said?’

Jeong Yeon-shin turned off his attention to Gao Zong-xue’s trailing.

He felt Desolate Sect’s lord’s whisper lingering in his ears for a long time. And very slowly sank into contemplation.

What more could he obtain?

His pondering continued until the red robe covering his body was stained with faint sunset light.

* * *

The day changed quickly. He didn’t know how he had slept.

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly left the house where he was left alone after the Seventh Apostle’s departure. Desolate Sect’s lord’s words wouldn’t leave his mind.

‘Would there be something to gain from completely breaking the blood technique verses? Or should I obtain something from the Sect Leader?’

Lost in thought, he moved his feet. He had a destination.

He had received word early in the morning. It was a message requesting his attendance at a banquet.

The Blood Flame Sect too was a place where people lived. He knew well thanks to Gao Zong-xue, the Third Apostle’s son.

There was jealousy and envy even among sect members, and being large in sect power, they also enjoyed lavish banquets.

They said most were feasts accompanied by blood and corpses.

However, this was his first invitation. They requested a meeting while even mentioning the Sect Leader. He couldn’t refuse.

It wasn’t an ordinary matter.

‘Yesterday Gao Zong-xue followed me.’

He must have seen traces of someone visiting outside the formation. Or he might have even glimpsed Desolate Sect’s lord briefly.

Until now, the Blood Flame Sect had given much freedom to Jeong Yeon-shin who was merely a prisoner.

Though under the pretext of protecting the Grand Teacher’s inspiration, they had strangely left him alone.

Just looking at Jeong Yeon-shin’s treatment, it hardly seemed like an evil sect at all.

‘Today is the last day. I might learn the reason.’

Jeong Yeon-shin walked slowly. The light of ornate lanterns was already spreading in his vision.

“Was it the Wave Sect? The sect master’s son’s moves were quite fierce.”

“I beheaded his younger brother. His power tasted quite good. The blood wasn’t much.”

The banquet was held in the Sect Leader’s hall courtyard. There were many evil sect people.

They asked about each other’s wellbeing and discussed blood techniques and doctrine, boasting of their exploits attacking sects they wanted to absorb true qi from as war stories.

Their respective fierce auras and madness-tinged words created chaos unique to evil sects.

“Welcome, Grand Teacher. That you would accept our family’s invitation to this banquet! We are simply grateful!”

Gao Zong-xue stepped forward to greet Jeong Yeon-shin with an deliberately courteous attitude. His lips were different. A faint sneer was formed.

“Grand Teacher?”

“The Desolate Srct trash has come?”

“Isn’t there still no clear advancement?”

“Too early. Speaking too big.”

It was a banquet of the leadership. Unlike regular members’ reactions, their words and actions were much more uninhibited and they didn’t hide their respective energy waves.

Jeong Yeon-shin felt it as soon as he arrived. There were no allies here.

But he wasn’t lonely. Desolate Sect’s lord’s gentle presence seemed to wrap his entire body. It had been so since last night.

TL Note- ヽ⁠༼⁠⁰⁠o⁠⁰⁠；⁠༽⁠ノ

“These are words of those who don’t know better. Please let them pass.”

Gao Zong-xue said. His expression was different. After guiding Jeong Yeon-shin to the seat of honor, he openly showed a satisfied face.

‘It’s a place to bring down a lowborn.’

Gao Zong-xue thought.

Grand Teacher Lightning Genius* had wandered many places within the sect for a month.

TL Note- Lightning Flash was the wrong translation, it translates roughly to Lightning Talent, I had randomly chosen a word that would go along with Lightning. Since Asura is using Lightning Genius. I’ll use it as well for readers who read both.

Though modifying martial arts might be hard for ordinary people to imagine, a prisoner treated as Grand Teacher had spent a month leisurely under the excuse of inspiration.

Even though they gave freedom of movement because of the Two Flame Blood Spirit Formation, it was excessive behavior.

Naturally, it was irritating the Blood Flame Sect’s upper ranks, when yesterday’s incident occurred.

Gao Zong-xue had seen clearly.

He was certain just from the side profile. An elf had reached near the Two Flame Blood Spirit Formation then disappeared. He couldn’t track the body-protecting movement’s traces. It was a tremendous master.

He immediately reported to his father, the Third Apostle. That the Grand Teacher had been before them.

‘That elf trifle was such a supreme master. Who knows what chilling abilities they might have.’

The elf families that formed the core of the Beijing imperial court were old enemies of the Blood Flame Sect. They had encountered all sorts of mysterious martial arts and incidents through frequent clashes.

They might have exchanged communion with the Grand Teacher through abilities unique to their kind.

The Third Apostle had a private audience with the Sect Leader. The banquet schedule was set immediately.

The thirty-six steps leading to the Sect Leader’s hall symbolized the Blood Flame Sect Leader’s authority.

It was very wide. Even with luxurious seats placed on each level, there was space to spare.

“Isn’t this a rare scale of banquet even in the main hall?”

“Enjoy it. Usually one of our sect’s stars falls at gatherings like this.”

The words of those chattering were right. It was a place to interrogate and bring down those who had damaged the sect leadership’s dignity.

It was the best opportunity.

‘Small sect leader? Preposterous.’

The corners of Gao Zong-xue’s mouth rose high.

He spoke while clasping his hands:

“This humble Gao’s family held this through petition to the Sect Leader. We belatedly wished to host the Grand Teacher in a good place. There wasn’t enough time to give advance notice. We hope for your understanding.”

He wore a seemingly regretful expression with his courteous bearing.

His strongly featured face was quite handsome. Sincerity could even be felt at a glance.

Jeong Yeon-shin, who had been quietly watching Gao Zong-xue, smiled faintly.

The fellow’s necklace entered his vision. A small jade was hanging there.

The Poison Avoiding Pearl.

He had heard it mentioned in their boasting talk.

It was a treasure possessed by only some of the sect’s leaders, an item bestowed by the Third Apostle to his son.

They said it was very precious. It could immediately neutralize most poisons.

‘It would be useful when using the blood poison received from the Sect Leader.’

While noting the Poison Avoiding Pearl, he spoke perfunctorily:

“I should be glad to be invited.”

Unlike when he first entered, it was hard to find his aura. A glint passed through Gao Zong-xue’s pupils.

The reactions of those around were captured in his eyes. Many who had been on alert seemed disappointed.

“Is it because the Seventh Apostle is on expedition?”

“Was he really just a rice worm?”

Words and actions hard to imagine in Desolate Sect or orthodox martial arts ran rampant.

No one stopped them. Even the Blood Flame Sect Leader looking down from the seat of honor maintained the same expressionless face throughout.

“Those who should come have come. I will give a toast.”

The Sect Leader said. It was a low voice.

Silence descended instantly. There was no need to load true qi in his voice or draw attention.

Jeong Yeon-shin clearly recognized it. There was no one in the vast banquet hall who wasn’t a master.

The evil sect masters’ extraordinary senses seemed to encompass the entire Sect Leader’s hall courtyard.

“You are the pillars of our sect. The day approaches when you will display your extraordinary talents with conviction. We have taken in a Grand Teacher who will dye the sight of foolish ones black. He will modify blood techniques to wash away the world’s hypocrisy, so first raise a cup.”

The Blood Flame Sect Leader caressed a cup with long fingers, then very slowly gripped it and drank.

Only then did the masters who had been looking up at him raise their own cups.

“This is Du Kang wine*. I heard the Grand Teacher is from Henan, perhaps you know it?”

TL Note- Du Kang is considered the inventor of Wine in Chinese mythology and the wine named after him is considered as immortal wine or tribute wine.

Gao Zong-xue sitting beside him asked with a small smile.

Jeong Yeon-shin shook his head.

He seemed to have heard it was wine his father enjoyed at the Jeong Family Estate, but he wasn’t certain as he had never drunk together.

He knew it was famous wine from Henan. They said Cao Mengde, Emperor Wu of Wei, enjoyed drinking it.

TL Note- Cao Mengde (Cao Cao), also known as Emperor Wu of Wei, was a prominent warlord, dictator and a poet during late Eastern Han Dynasty Period. He was ruthles but a military genius.

‘This gathering. The meaning of the wine is strange.’

The wine’s fragrance flowed enveloping the banquet hall.

The atmosphere sank as the Blood Flame Sect Leader kept drinking Du Kang wine before them. It was as if drinking in Cao Cao’s ambitions.

Tension circled.

Everyone seemed to sense blood would flow down the steps. That was the meaning of a banquet held before the Sect Leader’s hall.

“Gao Zong-xue.”

The Blood Flame Sect Leader opened his mouth. As he tilted his body slightly, his smooth white hair became disheveled.

His gaze brushed past Jeong Yeon-shin. His strangely bright red lips rose slightly.

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

Gao Zong-xue quickly came out and prostrated himself.

He bowed completely with his head down, but his rather broadly exposed back looked strangely triumphant.

The Sect Leader said:

“Interrogate him.”

“I receive the command.”

Gao Zong-xue immediately stood up and turned around. The direction was clear. At the end of his gaze was Jeong Yeon-shin.

‘The matter is obvious.’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought. He didn’t feel like listening for long.

‘There’s no time.’

He had received one day from Desolate Sect’s lord. The Seventh Apostle also said.

That martial artists from three of the Nine Sects and local martial arts circles had come.

Desolate Sect’s lord whom he met yesterday had sent sound transmission through the Two Flame Blood Spirit Formation.

The sorcery formation would be split by today. All sorts of warriors would storm the Blood Flame Sect main hall.

It was when Gao Zong-xue cleared his throat as if about to display eloquent speech.

“In short.”

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke first.

“There’s no progress in modifying the Blood Summoning Technique, and meanwhile villains targeting the main hall brushed past the formation.”

“……”

“A Desolate Sect person became Grand Teacher at a bad time. You must have wondered if there was willingness to cooperate.”

“…The Grand Teacher’s words are not wrong.”

Gao Zong-xue deliberately put his hands behind his back in a leisurely manner. Just as he was about to open his mouth as if to say something, Jeong Yeon-shin raised his head towards the Blood Flame Sect Leader.

“I understand this gathering was held at the request of Gao Zong-xue and the Third Apostle.”

“Speak.”

The Blood Flame Sect Leader gestured with his chin while wearing a smooth smile. Jeong Yeon-shin calmly continued speaking.

“I’m very displeased. If I prove my usefulness in this place, may I take the Gao family’s precious treasure from the main hall?”

“Insolent fellow.”

The Third Apostle, seated to the side on the level just below the Sect Leader, muttered.

Jeong Yeon-shin paid no heed.

“If I cannot, you may behead me.”

“I was going to ask you about this anyway. I too was curious about your progress.”

The Blood Flame Sect Leader answered with a dizzying smile as if wrapped in devilry.

The solemn atmosphere became strange. A bet with one’s head on the line excited people regardless of the era.

Though Jeong Yeon-shin had exceptionally become Grand Teacher, none of the leadership treated him as orthodox.

Unlike regular members, they had the power of bloodlines built up over long years.

It meant courtesy had to have duality. This was so no matter how extraordinary Jeong Yeon-shin’s talent.

A spirit beast to change the situation. Or expendable goods brought from outside.

It was time to evaluate the usefulness of the Desolate Sect seed who had been briefly set free.

“Come here.”

Jeong Yeon-shin gestured to a servant. He was a regular member.

With red hair, he dared not disobey the Grand Teacher’s words and approached.

“Sit down and receive energy.”

The servant immediately sat on the floor and closed his eyes. There was blind fanaticism in his bearing.

He seemed almost indifferent at a glance. It was as if he wouldn’t care even if Jeong Yeon-shin killed him.

“……”

Untimely energy circulation unfolded in the banquet hall.

Jeong Yeon-shin silently bent his body slightly. He slowly placed his hand on the servant’s back and raised blood techniques.

A month had passed since coming to the main hall. It had been a very leisurely time to even change a few verses just in case.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s blood technique true qi flowed through the servant’s body.

The reaction was immediate.

“Huh?”

“What is…?”

It was a miracle. Something unprecedented in the Blood Flame Sect was happening.

The bright red hair began rapidly turning jet black. It was the moment the Blood Summoning Technique with hundreds of years of history was drastically changing.

The masters who had thrown all sorts of words at Jeong Yeon-shin swallowed empty gasps.

The time of change was surprisingly short.

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly removed his hand.

The servant grabbed his black hair now reaching his shoulders to check. His expressionless face instantly broke.

“Grand Teacher, Grand Teacher… Have I, for the first time, contained a miracle…”

He babbled while his body trembled.

Jeong Yeon-shin was not looking at him.

He could not accurately gauge what Desolate Sect’s lord had meant.

Then he would just take whatever caught his eye. Before all the martial artists stormed this place today.

Jeong Yeon-shin turned his head to capture Gao Zong-xue in his eyes. Did the Blood Flame Sect madmen have different blood flow too?

It was the first time he saw a person’s face truly turn pale blue. Even his hands behind his back had come undone.

He slowly parted his lips.

“The Poison Avoiding Pearl hanging on your neck.”

WHOOSH!

At this moment he deliberately raised the Demon Roaring Blood Technique. The blood-colored robe covering his body began to flutter.

Along with bewitching waves, there were energy waves coldly spreading from his entire body.

“Present it to me now.”

The Blood Flame Sect’s young Grand Teacher said.